Irish agritech innovations were on proud display under the Irish Advantage banner at EuroTier 2018, which took place at the Hannover Exhibition Centre, Germany, from November 13-16, 2018, under the theme ‘Digital Animal Farming’.

More than 160,000 visitors attended this event focused on highlighting technologies for successfully combining productivity and animal welfare, as well as information management and the sustainable use of natural resources.

As part of an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Germany, Minister Pat Breen TD visited EuroTier to support the 18 Enterprise Ireland agritech clients showcasing their innovative products, services and technologies to potential customers.

Minister Breen said: “Germany is a key export market for Ireland. As Europe’s largest economy and the fourth largest in the world, it offers substantial growth opportunities and potential for increased collaboration in the agritech sector for innovative and ambitious Irish companies.

“I would like to commend all the Enterprise Ireland companies participating in the exhibition for their innovation and ambition.”

Among the Irish exhibitors was Mervue Laboratories which signed a €1 million contract with their MEA partner Dr Awad Ali Abou Aita.

Second phase of growth

William Twomey, commercial director, Mervue Laboratories said: “Mervue has a long and successful partnership with Dr Awad in the Middle East and this contract represents the second phase of growth for both businesses in the region.

“We are delighted to have also launched two new products at EuroTier; MILKSHAKE Power Colostrum, a high energy colostrum for calves and STARTAID Chick Gel – an innovation in hydration for day old chicks.

“Participating in EuroTier has given us a valuable platform to showcase these products to buyers from Germany and the wider global market.”

Dairymaster, the Kerry company revolutionising milking technology, was awarded the Silver Innovation Award for their new Mission Control milking parlour technology system by the DLG – (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft – German Agricultural Society) at EuroTier.

Next-generation touchscreen system

The next-generation touchscreen system provides farmers with real-time performance indicators on the cow and herd, including attachment time, carousel downtimes, cow throughput, expected end of milking time, the status of the milk tank, remaining feed quantity, and animal health.

“Innovation is core to what we do in Dairymaster,” said Prof Edmond Harty, CEO, Dairymaster. “Winning a Silver Medal for Innovation at EuroTier is testament to the investment we put into research and development and creating products to suit all dairy farmers – from entry level to top of the range.”

Of the 18 Irish exhibitors at EuroTier, a number of them showcased their products on the Irish Pavilion under the #IrishAdvantage banner, Enterprise Ireland’s international campaign promoting the advantages of sourcing suppliers from Ireland directly to buyers in key eurozone markets.

Anne Lanigan, Enterprise Ireland eurozone director said the quality of Irish innovation on show at EuroTier was exemplary of the world-class products and services currently being exported worldwide.

“A growth in exports of agritech products and services to Germany is part of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy to support clients to deliver 60,000 new jobs, increase exports to the eurozone by 50 per cent and add an additional €5 billion in exports from 2017–2020,” she said.

Irish agtech products launched at Eurotier 2018

1. Agritech expands into international poultry market
Following their successful launch of Ruminant products to the Egyptian market, Agritech, based in Tipperary, has recently agreed a new deal with IFT Egypt to launch their product Salomega into the poultry market.

Salomega is an essential fatty acid supplement developed for the enrichment of Omega-3 in eggs and to improve fertility in male breeders.

2. Moocall announced details of its new HEAT detection product
Moocall HEAT is a collar that is worn by a stock or a teaser / vasectomised bull. Moocall eartags are attached to all cows and heifers.

The collar then uses cow/bull proximity, mounting behaviour and bull activity levels to determine to an extremely high level of accuracy when a cow or a heifer is in heat. Moocall is based in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

3. TERRA NutriTech launched its Smart Liquid Controller
Terra NutriTECH, the overall winner of the 2018 National Enterprise Award for their automated dosing system which adds minerals to cows’ drinking water launched its Smart Liquid Controller to the international market at Eurotier.

In the five years it has been in business, it has worked with farmers across the world to improve herd health using agritech and automation to accurately feed minerals in water. The Athy-based firm was set up by two brothers in 2012 and the business which employs ten people announced a €2 million expansion programme late last year.

The OPIS Controller is unique in the world and is getting huge interest from the US, Europe and Asia. Terra NutriTECH are currently negotiating strategic partnerships which will see the technology roll out to 6 countries in early 2019.

4. EASYFIX launched a range of new livestock housing solutions
A new range of cow cubicles, slat rubber systems, an innovative feed barrier and a full range of environmental enrichment devices for pigs was launched by Galway company EASYFIX at EuroTier.

Irish agritech innovations were on proud display under the Irish Advantage banner at EuroTier 2018, which took place at the Hannover Exhibition Centre, Germany, from November 13-16, 2018, under the theme 'Digital Animal Farming'.
Technologies for successfully combining productivity and animal welfare
More than 160,000 visitors attended this event focused on...

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